"BLAZER", "DARING" & "IMPETUOUS" Top the Podium in Newport

As usual with the Swan 42 Class in the US and this highly competitive fleet, it almost always comes down to the last race to determine the winner of a regatta. The 163rd NYYC Annual Regatta Presented by Rolex was no different. The winds were spectacular for both days of competition with well-run races by the NYYC Race Committe.

After two days of windward/leeward racing, it was a draw between Chris Culver's BLAZER and John Hele's DARING. Going into the last race of the regatta, there was a two-point difference. It was DARING's to win, but Roger Widmann's QUINTESSENCE was the spoiler finishing 2nd in Race 6 with DARING finishing 3rdwhich tied BLAZER and DARING on points.

With BLAZER's 1-1-1-3-5-1 she took 1st Place. DARING had a 2-3-2-1-1-3 finishing 2nd, and Paul Zabetakis's IMPETUOUS was third.

In additon to Hele's 2nd Place finish in One Design, he won the team Rolex Cup along with Stephen Murray's WARRIOR awarded to the two-boat team with the best combined score in IRC from a club other than the NYYC. The winning club was the Poona Imperial Yacht Club.

Chris Culver and "BLAZER" Set a High Bar at the 163rd NYYC Annual Regatta Presented by Rolex

A glorious race day unveiled itself in Newport (RI) on this first day of windard/leeward racing today for eight Swan 42s. Three races were completed on W-4 courses ranging from 1.2-1.5 nm windward legs with 10-12 knots.

Chris Culver and BLAZER took all three bullets with convincing wins in all races. The starts were superb. "The crew work was absolutely outstanding and they did an awesome job today," said Culver. "I take my hat off to them because they did such a great job", he added.

BLAZER is one of the three NYYC entries competing for the one NYYC entry at the NYYC Rolex Invitational Cup in September.

John Hele's DARING had an excellent day with a 2-3-2. Paul Zabetakis and IMPETUOUS are currently in third place with a 4-2-7 and tied with Roger Widmann's QUINTESSENCE with a 5-4-4.